Alberta bingo halls bet on slot machines

Twelve bingo halls have closed across Alberta in the lasttwo years, but the province's bingo industry says its number isn't up.

Allowing slot machines inbingo halls could revitalize the industry and, in turn, help charities that rely on them for funding, said Don Henderson, head of Bingo Alberta.

"We have to improve the facilities. We have to offer greater gaming entertainment experiences than bingo and we have to have a higher level of service for customers," he said.

"We need new product so thatwe can compete in the marketplace."

Bingo's slide started in 1996 when the province decided to give slot machines and video lottery terminals to casinos, he said.Casinos get to keep 15 per cent of the revenue, which amounts to millions of dollars.

Lynn Hutchings-Mah, a spokeswoman for the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission, said the province is waiting for details on Bingo Alberta's strategy.

"We have been working with the industry to help them look at how they can reverse the decline of bingo revenues," she said.

"But there are a number of different reasons why we are seeing a decline in bingo and this isn't just something that's happening in Alberta. This is something that ishappening across North America."

Fundraising woes in Pincher Creek

Albertahas 35 bingo halls. Charities received $34 million from such hallsin 2006-2007, down from $50 million in 2001-2002.

Pincher Creek's bingo hall, which used to raise $200,000 a year for 24 clubs and charities, closed in June.

Lynn Brasnette, president of the Bingo Association in Pincher Creek, said local charities can put themselves on the waiting list for a turn at the Lethbridge casino, but it is an hour away and the wait is more than three years.

"That's going to start cutting back into the pockets of the people who live in Pincher Creek," she said. "There's only so many fundraising ideas and there's only so many things you can do at a bake sale, so many chocolates you can sell."

Hallsclosing in Calgary

In Calgary, long-time bingo hall Players Choice locked its doors two weeks ago. King's Bingo closed in July and a Jackpot Junction will shut down next month, leaving just four bingos inthe Calgary area.

Chris Sheridan,association manager for Jackpot Junction, said a lot of bingo players have gone to the Grey EagleBingo Hallon the Tsuu T'ina First Nation, which doesn't have to adhere tothe province-wide smoking ban.

Calgary bingo halls, which were given a reprieve from the city's 2007 smoking ban,went smoke-freeon Jan. 1, the same date the province went smoke-free.

Throughout the year, Jackpot Junction has seen a decline in attendance, said Sheridan, who said it's unfair the same smokingrules don't apply on the First Nation reserve.